HB284 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Connie C. Rowe
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Crimes and offenses, female genital mutilation of female minor, crime created, penalties
Summary: HB 284 creates the crime of female genital mutilation of a female minor and sets penalties, with limited medical exemptions and a local-funds exception under Amendment 621.
What This Bill Does
It establishes the Rowe-Scott Act to criminalize female genital mutilation of a minor, including acts by performing the procedure, permitting it, or removing a minor from the state for that purpose. It states that religious or parental consent is not a defense, but provides medical exemptions for licensed physicians when necessary for the minor’s health or in labor/birth-related situations, subject to specified conditions. It imposes a Class D B felony for the crime and notes the bill is exempt from local-funds requirements of Amendment 621 because it creates or amends a crime.

Who It Affects
Female minors in Alabama and their families/guardians, who would be protected from FGM and could face penalties if involved in the procedure or its facilitation.
Licensed physicians and medical facilities, who may perform medically necessary procedures under certain conditions and would be exempt from prosecution when those conditions are met.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Rowe-Scott Act and defines female genital mutilation for a minor.
Criminalizes performing, permitting, or transporting a minor for FGM (including parental involvement).
Provides medical exemptions for licensed physicians when the procedure is medically necessary or connected to labor/birth, with conditions such as physician concurrence and hospital settings.
Imposes a Class D B felony for the crime and excludes the bill from Amendment 621 local-funds expenditure requirements because it defines a new or amended crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Crimes and Offenses